Governments of all party stripes, across Canada, must confront a gnarly problem when it comes to investing more fairly in all ages. How do we pay for the ballooning retirement costs of baby boomers, without skimping on the needs of younger people and burdening future generations with massive public debts? And more basically, how can we have "adult conversations" about how to pay for the Canada we want? Gen Squeeze founder Paul Kershaw delves into these questions and more with leading conservative thinker Sean Speer.

Sean is editor-at-large at The Hub, a Public Policy Forum fellow, and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He was previously a senior economic adviser to former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Dig deeper:

• Our Budget Season 2024 commentary and ⁠Substack Chat⁠, where you can share your budget questions and ideas during our “Office Hours” on April 19.

• “A fiscal reckoning is coming for Canada” by Sean Speer, The Hub

• “Protect OAS by eliminating outdated tax shelters for retirees” by Paul Kershaw, The Globe & Mail

• “Globe & Mail: Canada’s promise to NATO collides with spending increases for retirees” by Paul Kershaw, The Globe & Mail

• Paul Kershaw’s provincial budget commentary in The Hub:

  • Ontario's budget further burdens younger Ontarians
  • Alberta's Conservatives double down on expensive health care strategy
  • The B.C. budget highlights just how expensive the Boomers' retirements will be

Our heads have been spinning after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last week that the upcoming federal budget will focus on "fairness for every generation." In this mini bonus episode, Gen Squeeze Founder Paul Kershaw and co-host Megan reflect on the significance of putting generational fairness front and centre in the government's spending plans.

• More about the PM's announcement
• ⁠Sign our "thank you card" to federal leaders⁠
• Check out our Budget Season commentary

We spoke with journalist Michelle Cyca about one of the hardest truths we grapple with (and which gets us a lot of hate mail). Skyrocketing home prices have made many older Canadian homeowners rich, while making housing unaffordable for younger generations. But many homeowners resist thinking of themselves as wealthy, especially whenever the subject of fair taxation comes up. So how do we get more homeowners to recognize their wealth and put it to work fixing our housing crisis?

We also discuss the high, personal stakes of housing unaffordability; how it’s changing Canadian neighborhoods and society; why "just move somewhere affordable" isn't a solution; and street parking.

Michelle Cyca is the editor of Indigenous-led conservation coverage for The Narwhal and a regular contributor to The Walrus, Maclean’s, and many other publications.

Dig deeper:

• The End of Homeownership by Michelle Cyca in Maclean's
• Homeowners Refuse to Accept the Awkward Truth: They’re Rich by Michelle Cyca in The Walrus
• Attention older, affluent homeowners: Let’s put our housing wealth to work by Paul Kershaw in The Globe & Mail
• Is a bedroom for the cat a sign of Canada's new housing aristocracy? by Paul Kershaw in The Globe & Mail